Noticeboard

PPG AGM

The PPG AGM will be held on 2nd April 2019 at Frithwood Surgery. The meeting will start at 7.30pm and is open to all patients.

FRITHWOOD Patient Participation Group(PPG)

It is now a requirement for every Surgery to have a PPG. The Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a group of patients at a surgery who have an interest in the services provided. Patient Participation Groups cross barriers, embrace diversity and work in partnership with the surgery to improve common understanding and help identify new services to meet patients' needs.

Every registered patient at Frithwood Surgery is a member of our Patient Participation Group, but if you are interested in getting more involved please contact the Practice Manager.

Order your repeat prescription online

Repeat Prescriptions

To avoid error and confusion, WE CANNOT ACCEPT REQUESTS ON THE TELEPHONE. This is NHS Policy.

It is safer for you if you either make your request by letter, by fax 01453 731302 or if you prefer, by using the special Repeat Prescription print-out note attached to your prescription which details all of your medication.

If you would like to order your repeat prescription by EMAIL then please click on the following link; frithwood.scripts@nhs.net.

Please allow two full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.

EMIS ACCESS will now be know as Systm Online. you will still be able to log into this system with the user name and password that you have already.

If you have registered to use EMIS Access then you can order a repeat prescription using the Systm Online website (link below).

If you would like to find out more information regarding Systm Online and/or obtain an application form please ask at reception. If you want your prescription to be sent to you in the post, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope.

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip.

Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

NHS charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

Prescription (per item): £9.00

12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £104.00

3-month PPC: £29.10

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website

PRIVATE PRESCRIPTION CHARGES

Please note that with effect from 1 April 2019, Frithwood Surgery will be charging for Private Prescriptions.

Frithwood has never put a charge on this non-NHS work before, however; as processing and ordering is over and above the core work we now reluctantly have to pass on our charges.

The increase in cost may be of a surprise for some patients, and whilst the patient loyalty to the Dispensary is appreciated, as stated Private Prescriptions are outside of NHS work and therefore we need to recoup our costs.

NHS Prescriptions for medications available to purchase over the counter.

We are writing to inform you that from 31 May 2018, a range of medicines that are available to buy over the counter from pharmacies and supermarkets will no longer be routinely prescribed by GP surgeries.

These are medicines associated with a number of minor, short term conditions, which either get better by themselves or you can treat yourself. (A full list of these is below)

The decision in Gloucestershire follows a recent national consultation and NHS England guidance which recommends this change (referenced below). As a commissioner (buyer) of services and treatments, we have a duty to plan and prioritise fairly and use the public money available to achieve the maximum health benefit for the people of Gloucestershire.

The annual prescribing cost for these medicines in Gloucestershire is around £2 million which we think could be put to better use to support more serious health conditions. Costs to the NHS are often higher than those over the counter when other fees are included such as those for dispensing or medical consultations.

The change will also help to ease some of the pressure on GP surgeries, so doctors and other healthcare professionals can concentrate on patients with more serious or long term conditions.

The average cost of many of these medicines no longer prescribed on NHS prescription will be around

£2 to £3 - for example olive oil ear drops, antifungal skin cream or antihistamine tablets. The price of these items may vary slightly, but will range from 30p (for a small packet of paracetamol) to around £5 (for a bottle of branded cough medicine). Please discuss the best range of medicines available to you with your community pharmacy team.

We hope that you understand the rationale behind this decision. If you have any concerns about how this will impact your health, please contact your GP or Practice Nurse. If you have any concerns or complaints about the decision, please contact the CCG at: glccg.pals@nhs.net.